CASTLETON, Vt. – The Spartans overcame an early deficit and led the final 35 minutes of action on their way to an 82-66 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington on Friday evening at Glenbrook Gymnasium. 

Castleton shot 43.5 percent for the game, including 16-for-40 from beyond the arc. The Spartans also forced 21 turnovers and recorded 13 steals to improve to 2-2 overall and a perfect 1-0 in the NAC. UMF shot just 35.8 percent from the field, but went 25-for-33 from the free throw line to keep it close before ultimately dropping to 3-1 on the year and 0-1 in the conference. 

Logan White led all Castleton scorers with 26 points, including six triples, three assists and two steals. Mark Comstock finished with 19 points, six steals and four assists. Dammy Mustapha had a team-high eight rebounds and added seven points. 

Ben Johnson was the Beavers biggest presence, going for 23 points and 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive end. Yusuf Iman was also in double figures with 14 points and six rebounds.

UMF jumped out to a 4-0 lead at the 17:23 mark, but back-to-back threes by Denny Wilhelm and Logan White put the Spartans in front for good, 6-4, with 16:44 left. Castleton tacked scored eight more points, capped off by a pair of Comstock free throws to push the lead to 14-4 at the 13:15 mark.

The Beavers managed to get within nine, 20-11, at 10:15, and weathered another Spartan run to close within nine at 28-19 with 6:07 left in the half. A Johnson layup cut made it a seven-point game, but eight straight by Castleton put the home team in front 36-21 with just 3:07 left. The teams traded baskets for the remainder of the half with the Spartans taking a 40-27 lead into the break.

In the second half, Castleton maintained its double-digit edge until a 6-0 Beaver run cut the lead to 49-40 at 15:11. A Rob Collutti three just eight seconds later made it a 12-point game and UMF wouldn't climb any closer the rest of the way.

The Spartans saw their lead balloon as high as 21 on a pair of occasions later in the second before holding the Beavers to just two points over the final 2:53 and finishing with the 82-66 win.

Castleton returns to action on Saturday at 3 pm when the team host Thomas College.